Sea World San Diego

Sea World is the only park in which you can get up close and personal with sea creatures and get an education while having fun. You can meet Shamu the killer whale, watch the Dolphins play their tricks, visit the sharks in their natural habitat, go to the South Pole on an icy safari and peek at the Penguins – all that fun for a bargain.

Currently, you can get a year’s worth of experiences for $69 and 2 years for $109 (for southern California residents).
The park also offers a large variety of dining options and the prices are much more reasonable than other Theme parks.

Anaheimer Tip: As usual, it pays to plan ahead. Go to http://www.seaworld.com/SanDiego and browse the various activities and show times. Shows that you shouldn’t miss are: Believe: The Shamu (killer whale) Show; Sea Lions Live; Dolphin show (which is being recast as Blue Horizons starting May 2010; A trip to Wild Arctic; Shark encounter). All those shows and exhibits – and others – will be described below in more detail.

Shamu show: Believe
Shamu and his friends the killer whales (Orcas) show off their natural and learned behavior with the help of their trainers.

Anaheimer tip: Go to Shamu stadium at least ½ an hour early. The good seats get filled up very quickly. Better yet, go there one hour before the show and enjoy watching the whales from the underwater glass window overlooking one of the habitats.

Expect to be dazzled by high flying tricks, the music, the multimedia presentations and the friendliness of the whales. The show inspired my daughter to contemplate being a marine biologist when she grows up. It will probably inspire your kids too.

Anaheimer tip: You will get enough warnings about this one, but here is my warning too: If you sit in the first 8 to 12 rows you are guaranteed to get wet. The Orcas really enjoy drenching the audience. You can always buy a plastic poncho and brave the tidal waves.

Blue Horizons (Dolphin Discovery)
The blue horizons show is new to Seaworld. It is planned to open May 2010. It will have the usual Dolphin playful performances along with whales, high divers, dancers and flying creatures. The original show, Dolphin Discovery, had the usual Dolphin tricks, some whales and a staged show.

Rocky Point Preserve
Meet the Dolphins in a totally different environment at Rocky Point Preserve. You can actually touch the dolphins and feed them (only fish purchased at the nearby stand). You can also peek at the dolphins through the underwater viewing glass, while listening to educational information.

Anaheimer Tip: Watch out for seagulls trying to steal the feed fish from your hands.

Sea Lions Live
Watch the sea lions spoof some of the most popular TV shows and Movies like CSI; Idol; Dancing with the stars. And don’t miss the pre-show show.

Penguin Encounter
Take a peek at the lives and times of 300 cold weather Penguins in their natural habitat. You will encounter many species of penguins like: Emperor; King; Adelie; Gento; and Macaroni. Watch them above water on the snow and watch them as they dive into the water and underwater.

Anaheimer tip: The temperature is very cold inside this exhibit, so make sure you are prepared.

You can enjoy this exhibit in 2 ways: Go on the conveyor belt and be guided through the habitat; or go up the stairs and stroll at your own pace. The upstairs viewing deck has benches and TV screens for some educational programs about the Penguins.

Anaheimer tip: As you step out of the exhibit, make a sharp left and enjoy the warm weather Penguins playing in their small garden.

Shark Encounter
Come face to face with sharks of all shapes and sized as you walk through their habitat. The highlight of the exhibit is a 57 ft acrylic walkway under water. You will see sharks swimming all around you. Some of the species you will encounter are: Sand Tiger; Bonnet Head; Black Tip and White Tip.

Anaheimer tip: As Don’t forget to take a picture inside the huge mouth of a shark!

Sesame Street Bay of Play (Shamu's Happy Harbor)
If you have kids make sure to schedule a stop at this play area for kids of all ages. This gives the adults a chance to relax and the kids a chance to let lose. This Sesame street inspired area is full of rides, games and interaction with characters. It replaced the long running Shamu's Happy Harbor and I think it is a big improvement. New rides are: Abby's Sea Star Spin; Elmo's Flying Fish; and Oscar's Rockin' Fish. Activities left over from the old play area are: The cargo nets and slides.

wild arctic
wild arctic is the newest exhibit at sea world. you start your arctic exploration by riding on a jet helicopter – which is a motion simulator. the chopper takes you on a wild ride to a remote research station. if you don’t like simulator rides, there is an alternate route that takes you directly to the observation area.
once you land you can observe polar bears, white beluga whales, walruses, and seals. your observation starts from above the ice and water then takes under water. you pass through and ice tunnel with 25-foot long ice wall.

Anaheimer tip: put your hand on the ice, see your hand sinking in the ice and making a print, and find out how long you can last.

the gift shop at the end of the exhibit is full of cute stuffed polar bears and beluga whales.

Anaheimer tip: the weather in arctic is freezing cold. so make sure you have a jacket or sweater.

shipwreck rapids
get ready to be very wet. this is your typical water ride that twists and turns between shipwrecks, live turtle habitats and waterfalls.

sea world sky tower
a 320 foot tower with a climbing, rotating cabin. while spinning around at a very leisurely speed you can enjoy commanding views of san diego and the bay. you get a totally different flavor of the ride depending on the time of day. try a ride around sunset and a nighttime ride. only one regret about this ride: i wish the viewing windows are kept spotless so i can take better pictures.

sea world deals:

• Southern California pass: if you are staying in the area for a week or more, you can purchase southern California pass. it includes 3-day Disneyland tickets, tickets for one day each at universal studios, SeaWorld and your choice of a ticket to the San Diego zoo or San Diego zoo's wild animal park: Find City Pass.
• Sea World Admission Tickets: Get Sea World passes here.
• Go San Diego Pass: Another option is to get a "Go San Diego Pass" that is good for almost every attraction in San Diego. The only restriction is the number of days you want to purchase. See details here.

Sea World San Diego
500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
(800) 257-4268